A Package for Miss Marsh

A deadpan telling relates the proper habits of gray-haired Emmie Marshwater, who has been a lady in high heels and white gloves for a long time. She remembers being the wildest little girl on the block, until she was shamed into correct behavior by her mother. But with the arrival of a two pudgy, playful platypusessent by an Australian relative""ladylikeness'' begins to slip away from Miss Marshwater. A and Bea are cherubic companions for her, even though they may be behind the disappearance of her high heels. She grows messier and happier each day, buying kiwifruit and playing Bach for them, and watching with joy as Bea hatches babies Cee and Dee. This affectionate tale of transformation is bursting with humor and good will; Krause, who illustrated last year's jolly The Santa Clauses, here creates jovial black-and-white illustrations of Miss Marshwater's carefully regulated routines dissipating while her life grows daily more chaoticand more snug. Ages 7-10. (November)